We recently went to Stiles Switch in AUS. Wife picked it at random off a Googled search "Best BBQ Austin."

I thought the brisket was quite good. I imagine a place that served such food would be mobbed in Chicago.

@:-)

I just moved from 6 blocks south of the stadium to 3 blocks north, so I am well aware :) (Coincidentally, you listed them more or less in decreasing order of attractiveness.)

It's on one of my running routes, so next time I'm by there and hungry I will give it another shot.

For me it's all about Fat Willy's Rib Shack. I went there about three years ago and it was absolutely excellent. A little expensive but they have great food and Goose Island 312 on tap. Also, I don't know if it still is but it used to be iDine.

upcoming Barn & Co BBQ Flyertalk dinner: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-nov-21-a.html

All are welcome to attend:-:

Sadly, you won't find it and even sadder, I have yet to find BBQ that I really love in the city. I've lived here ten years. My go-to is Fat Willy's but over the past few years they've changed for the worse. They no longer have my beloved baked spaghetti as a side. Chicago does not do BBQ well.

I will try Wrigleyville BBQ as others have suggested. I live near the Southport corridor so it's just a short walk away. Anyone who knocks this area clearly hasn't spent any time here. My neighborhood is gorgeous, though I am clearly the pauper on my block. :)

rib tips at a number of places (& links at Barbara Ann's) yes we do. The rest, you are correct.

The far southwest side of Chicago is VERY fortunate to have a BBQ spot that serves fantastic links & rib tips.

Stay clear of the beef ribs & chicken, but indulge on the rib tips & links, terrific.

Uncle John's II
5103 W. Sauk Trail
Richton Park, IL 60471
708-679-0784
http://www.unclejohnsbarbque.com/index.html
NOT open on Sundays or Mondays

I should have known better - I purchased a Robinson's #1 Ribs Groupon a while back and thought I had better use it. I stopped yesterday afternoon for carry-out. What a disappointment. The Groupon was for an appetizer and a full slab or two other entrees and a side. Since most of the appetizers are also BBQ related, I just decided to get a Caesar salad and a full slab. The salad was OK - the Romaine was fresh and crisp and came with Marzetti's packaged dressing. The ribs were just OK, as was the sauce they were swimming in. The cole slaw tasted funny - I'm not sure whether it was old or just some weird spice. I chose potato salad as a side - partially raw potatoes and completely tasteless. After I tasted it, I dumped a little vinegar on it as well as some salt and pepper and stirred it up. That gave it a little flavor. I won't be back.

fantastic rib tips at Exsenator's BBQ in Markham IL http://exsenatorsbbq.net/

The link was great quality but was dry, I'm guessing left over from the day prior.

FWIW, Chicago is ranked No. 13 on the list of America's Best Cities for Barbecue by Travel+Leisure: http://bit.ly/1pkPEHo. The entry notes, among other things, that "Chicago has made its own mark on the BBQ world, often by way of rib tips, taken off the ends of St. Louis–style spareribs. County BBQ gives shout-outs to East Carolina, West Texas, St. Louis, and Memphis in its approach to slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and burnt ends..."

Thanks for the link legalalien, I believe rib tips are easily Chicago's best BBQ product overall, I know it is always an item I order.

Another common aspect to lots of BBQ joints in Chicago is the use of a particular type of smoker, anyone can do a search for "chicago aquarium smoker" to see what I'm talking about.

Q-BBQ is my favorites spot in the city so far.

which meat(s) do you like at Q?

I went to the Naperville location, here is a review I wrote:

Mrs Willie & I had the mega sampler platter at Q in Naperville on Sat night.

Turkey was outstanding, moist, great smoke, simply divine.

Links were ok but not near the quality/taste of Barbara Ann's or Uncle John's

3 kind of brisket on this sampler platter: burnt ends, chopped, & sliced. Chopped was the best, but that isn't saying much, I'd rather have had 3 kinds of the turkey.

pulled chicken - DRY !!! DRY !!!! DRY !!!! sawdust taste

pulled pork - so-so

ribs - very sweet rub, I did enjoy these as they had a bit of chew and were not jello

two types of wings - spicy & regular - they seemed smoked, then fried. Good but not up to par with Barn & Co.

I'm still continuing my search for decent Hush Puppies in Chicago. I've decided they don't exist.

I require North Carolina style - not sweet, dense, corny, loaded with onion. Fried in a free-form style that sort of resembles big Cheetos.

The only thing I can find are those fluffy, sweet, round abominations.

Update on this previous suggestion:

Did so a few weeks ago and was pleased. Will stick with the pork when I go in the future.